I’ve been a beauty editor for nearly 20 years, but with the market continuously releasing new products, even I have a hard time keeping up with every new launch. But when something becomes a viral trend, I know I need to try it ASAP.
The Medicube salmon mask was the latest on my must-try list. The Korean skincare uses salmon DNA, PDRN, and hydrolyzed collagen to deliver glass skin — hydrated, firm, and moisturized. Who wouldn’t want that? It has over 3,500 reviews on Amazon, with a 4.4-star rating, and is a Shop TODAY Beauty Awards-winning brand, so I knew it was time to get my hands on this mask immediately.
It comes in a pack of four and is under $20. As soon as I got it in the mail, I ripped open the package. I was so excited to transform and hydrate my skin, like so many reviews promised it would.
How I tried the Medicube Jelly Gel Mask
I first washed my face to prepare for the mask. Out of the package, the sheet mask looks white/light pink and feels cold when you apply it. It comes in two sections, so you can get a personalized fit (fit it around your eyes and your mouth). It says to leave it on between one and three hours, until the mask turns transparent. Some people sleep with the mask to wake up with glass skin, but I move around a lot in my sleep, and I also have very sensitive skin, so I wanted to try it during the day before committing to an eight-hour wear.
I wore the mask while working at my computer (I didn’t have any issues with it slipping or sliding around on my face). It did get a bit tight at the very end, which made snacking and talking a little challenging. I was, however, still able to drink my iced coffee through a straw. The things I do in the name of research, am I right?
Why I like the Medicube Jelly Gel Mask
Taking the mask off was easy — I liked that. Unlike other masks that “peel off,” this one stayed together in one piece and didn’t leave any residue on my face (only some serum, which I pressed into my skin with clean hands). It didn’t pull or attach to any baby hairs and was painless to remove.
I also liked that, in contrast to a mud mask, for example, it was quick and easy, and didn’t make a mess on my sink.
Immediately after, my skin looked glowing and gorgeous. After spending the first half of the summer in the sun (wearing SPF!) and swimming at my family’s lake house, my skin was slightly dry and irritated. But this smoothed my face and left it feeling plump, hydrated, and healthy. My face felt snatched and tight, but not dry. It seemed bouncy and radiant, and after wearing the mask for nearly two hours, it hadn’t irritated my sensitive skin.
The ingredients
This is because of the ingredients in the mask. First, salmon DNA. “Salmon eggs seem to contain a rich combination of proteins, vitamins, minerals, free amino acids, and lipids that have been documented to benefit skin,” explains Dr. Jodi Logerfo of Orentreich Medical Group in New York City. “Additionally, it has been used in wound care along with salmon collagen and has shown positive effects on tissue restoration.”
Although “salmon sperm” might not sound appealing to be applied to your face, it does have benefits, and more and more skincare products are popping up with this as an ingredient. “Some research suggests that salmon DNA can have potential benefits when applied to skin, including improved wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, redness, dullness, and increased skin hydration,” continues Logerfo.
This is because the DNA contains things like “unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, proteins, and minerals,” continues Logerfo.
The mask also contains niacinamide, an ingredient that is generally tolerated by even the most sensitive skin, and helps with brightening, toning, fading hyperpigmentation, and reducing acne. I do think this mask helped with the redness in my skin.
PDRN is another key ingredient in the mask. “PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) could enhance skin hydration and skin elasticity by encouraging the production of collagen, decreasing inflammation, and adding to the skin regeneration processes,” explains Logerfo.
It can help tissue regeneration and improve skin healing. “Research shows PDRN may help to decrease skin pigmentation, enhance skin elasticity, improve wound healing after skin treatments, decrease the expression of enzymes that can destroy collagen and upsurge the collagen content of skin,” she adds.
What to consider
In a sea of overwhelmingly positive reviews, a few people note that it left their skin red and irritated. With any new product, Dr. Logerfo suggests you do a patch test. “It is always helpful to do a patch test prior to use, which will help rule out any allergic reactions or sensitivity to any of the active ingredients.”
The mask packaging instructs that you wear the mask for one to three hours, and remove it when the mask turns transparent. Logerfo says it may not be necessary to wear it for that duration. “I usually recommend a mask be left on for 15 to 20 minutes (follow specific product instructions), and while some suggest overnight wear, this may not offer additional benefits and could increase irritation in sensitive individuals,” she notes. She says it’s probably a safe bet to use the mask once or twice a week, and for a more intensive treatment, up to three times a week.
Keep in mind that with any skincare, a consistent routine is key. Using this mask one time will not transform your skin forever. “These types of masks are temporarily helpful, meaning the results are temporary and you have to consistently use them to see results,” says Dr. Logerfo.
That said, I did see a temporary improvement in the tone and texture of my skin, and my face really felt moisturized and smooth after wearing it for about 90 minutes. I’d happily wear this mask again before a night out or when I need a boost of hydration.
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Meet the expert
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Jodi Logerfo is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Family Nurse Practitioner certified in Family Medicine and Dermatology. She currently works with Orentreich Medical Group in New York City and has been with the practice since 1997.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, look through hundreds of customer reviews, and use our own experiences with products and brands to make shopping easier for our readers.
Dory Zayas is a frequent Shop TODAY contributor, focusing on product reviews in the style and beauty space.
